Mendocino Democrats Endorse No New Gas Stations Movement
![Hopland gas station. [Photo by Matt LaFever]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/280703845_1220218812168388_2346675512719434179_n.jpg)
Hopland gas station. [Stock photo by Matt LaFever]
Prohibition of new gas stations ResolutionThe Mendocino County Democratic Party last weekend released a resolution calling for a prohibition on the construction of new gasoline stations in Mendocino County. The resolution, which it justifies with factual statements regarding Climate Change and the actions already taken by State and Local authorities, supports the campaign launched by the Climate Crisis Working Group of The GrassRoots Institute late last year.
The resolution references Climate Emergency Declarations passed by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in 2020 and in 2023 as well as the ambitious goals set by the State of California to transition away from a dependency on fossil fuels for transportation. Furthermore, the resolution cites the potential health risks gas stations pose when it comes to hazardous materials as well as the fact that fossil fuel infrastructure facilities are typically located in low-income neighborhoods that are disproportionally impacted.
“Fossil fuel use imposes deep and long-standing racial injustice. In every drop that comes out of a gasoline dispenser, there is a trail of devastation for communities of color and the environment around the world that leads all the way back to the point of extraction of crude oil from the ground in places like Nigeria, Ecuador, and Kern County California. Low-income communities of color in the US and around the world, “frontline communities” are poisoned and/or displaced by effluent and emissions from these operations; low-income communities along rail and roadways are threatened by the hazard of oil and gas transportation; similar historically disadvantaged communities of color near refineries and gas processing facilities, “fenceline communities,” face respiratory disorders, cancer, and death rates much higher than the national average. Indigenous communities around the world are severely impacted by pumping and pipelines;”
Furthermore, with the ongoing transition to zero or low-emission vehicles, studies have shown that there will be a declining need for gas stations over time and some will likely struggle to remain viable businesses. And, when a gas station goes out of business and the owner declares bankruptcy or otherwise refuses to clean up the site, the public often gets stuck with the costs of remediation.
Lynne Atkins, Chair of the Mendocino County Democratic Party Central Committee, released the following statement: “The climate science is clear and has been for many years – we need to phase out the use of fossil fuels. Continuing to build fossil fuel infrastructure or gas stations makes no sense, especially when Mendocino County already has a sufficient number of gas stations to meet our needs. Mendocino County Democrats therefore support the GrassRoots Institute’s campaign to prohibit the construction of new gas stations, a campaign that is consistent with the two Climate Emergency Declarations that the County has already passed.”
Last month, the Climate Crisis Working Group of The GrassRoots Institute (GRI), working collaboratively with local residents, successfully lobbied the Planning Commission to deny a use permit for a proposed new gas station in Redwood Valley. GRI will be pursuing its campaign to prohibit the construction of new gas stations county-wide in the coming weeks and months. For more information, please visit our web page at:
www.GrassRoots-Institute.org/
nonewgasstations Contact: Donald Hess, [email protected]
Attachment: Mendocino Democratic Party Resolution dated 2/6/2024
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Oh now cars and pickups are racist it’s not for the environment it’s for disadvantaged people of color.the fact is the number one reason people of color are disadvantaged is they vote Democrat and live in Democrat run cities. The only thing getting rid of gas and diesel will do is make everyone equally disadvantaged under the guise of ITS FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Can someone PLEASE shoot Mendocino County and put it out of it’s misery. It will be a mercy killing. How can one place be so screwed up??? in so many ways??
People form SF have moved there and infested the county government. Check close, your elections office, school boards, DA, and BOS.
Screw you mendo. I buy gas in other counties. Oregon, Nevada, and Utah too. Looks like the rez is the only place that will add stations.
Either resurrect the state of ‘Jefferson’ or join the movement for ‘Greater Idaho’…
those look pretty good right now.
India just put in 50 new stations this month , crack me up. They’ll control the climate like they controlled the flu.
only in California … again.
A simple solution- just ban registered Democraats from using gas stations. No new gas stations needed.
Well said!
Morons
Aww…you beat me to it!
This is just white people filling their need to control everything. They have endless energy for controlling their immediate neighbors. China, India, etc get a free pass to pollute as much as they’d like. So, this is just people who need to control others, and group-think, rather than try to find inner quietude. Guessing they will continue to be typical white people and shut down all reservation gas stations as well? When do they go after the Native Americans again, and their filling stations? like next week, maybe?
Except it can’t be just white people. Ìt’s the Democrats approving, whose party platform says so in black and white- “We will give hate no safe harbor. We will never amplify or legitimize the voices of racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, or white supremacy. Democrats will protect and promote the equal rights of all our citizens—women, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, people with disabilities, Native Americans, and all who have been discriminated against in too many ways and for too many generations.” They wouldn’t lie.
https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/preamble-2/
Lots of the usual bellyaching so far in the comment section
but not one comment yet explaining what is actually wrong with the idea.
The whiners all have one thing in common: denial of climate catastrophe. The will not “get it” until the diaster completely overcomes us….and then they will blame Biden.
There may be some here that are in denial of the climate change. Not me. I have seen it change in my lifetime (72 years old). The reason I am “bellyaching” (ha ha nice way to reduce anybody who doesn’t agree with you, along with calling them “whiners”- that’s called an “abusive ad hominem attack” and is usually fallacious, indicating you have already lost the debate) ah yes where was I? There are multiple reasons I am “bellyaching” ha ha- the foremost being that this is a stupid way of going about the business of reducing climate change. It hurts the economically disadvantaged while not doing much for the overall problem. I guess it feels good because it allows the local party to signify that THEY- and especially they- care so much. It’s stupid on many levels- lack of effect, more harm to those economically unable to buy into those expensive electric cars and it shows the people who can see through this “We Care So Much” smokescreen that the local DEM party is more concerned about grandstanding then helping the lower working class.(No surprise there- my old party is full of such morons now.) Hey- I could go on much longer but basically if you are going to start solving the climate crisis you should not begin with fascistic and top-driven mandates to penalize the people in your own county. Do not for a second imagine that your state DEM (and REP!) political leaders will stop flying private jets to their important meetings where they discuss what can be done next with those little people like me. As a closing remark let me drop a bombshell on you- Electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels!! Wow, dude!
You’re right that this proposal will do little to actually address the problem,
but how, exactly, does this proposal hurt the poor- or anyone for that matter?
Affordability? An old cheap vehicle will not be an ev. Utility costs? Power outages? Range?
https://www.businessinsider.com/electrc-vehicle-demand-problem-affordability-expense-price-cost-2023-10?op=1
Non sequitur
I’ll ask again, how does the proposal discussed in this article affect poor people, or any of the things you mentioned?
Poor people can’t afford an electric vehicle. The price of gas will increase due to lack of competition. Gas stations that close for some reason will not be replaced, Raising prices again. So yes it will hurt poor people, while the rich are still riding around in their fancy jets, or driving around in their fancy limousines,gas powerd I must add. The richest people are not giving up their jets and limousines. They only want to take them from the working class.
Poor people can’t afford a car. At least, they shouldn’t have to.
They can’t afford an ev. If they buy used the battery will more then likely fail on them which the cost will be comparable to that of a new gas car.With pge rates it cost more to charge the battery then to fillup. Fewer gas stations means they have to travel further to get gas, so an extra expense. Few stations mean higher prices and possibly price gouging. Look at Westport price of gas compared to others.
None of that has anything to do with the proposal discussed in this article.
Typical response of the self-centered elitist disconnected from reality that wants to dictate to the rest of us how we should live think act feel talk how we should eat if you can’t understand how this would be hard on everyone especially the disadvantaged no matter what color they are you should not waste your time having a conversation about the subject
Ad hominem and non sequitur.
Even so, can you explain what’s wrong with the proposal being discussed?
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges
Sometimes.
But, so far, not one comment on this article has pointed out any harm that this proposal would cause.
It is most likely an empty gesture as Mendo land is mostly filled with aging boomers who won’t make any more humans so no more gas stations are needed. Theoretically speaking artificial restrictions to supply cause increases in cost. But as the leftwing boomers croak they will be replaced by younger more entrepreneurial Hispanic people who will repeal whatever silly rules the dead boomers passed.
The fact is climate change is real and it is the result of humans using fossil fuels. Those are just the cold hard facts. And because our planet’s climate is changing, billions of people are suffering from disasters and being dislocated. Even worse, as long as we base our global economy on green house gas producing power sources the habitat suitable for humanity to reside in will continue to shrink causing more and more human suffering and dislocation. As a 72 year old you probably selfishly think you’ll be dead by the time things get really bad for people like you – maybe your right. But for everyone else, the sooner we get rid of gas stations the better.
Sometimes I do comfort myself with the idea that I will not have to live long with the consequences of the stupidity of the simple minded and self righteous bully because I am old.
But, when I was much, much younger and global warming first became a public issue, the stupidity of those at the time was just as bad. They stamped their rhetorical feet, ordered people around and made demands. And what was the result of that? Almost nothing. Much industry was driven overseas where the controls were none existent. Then these products were shopped back using much more energy. Like any bull headed person, all energy was used up head butting those they threatened. And that’s what your juvenile delusional rant is. May make you feel superior but works against the goal.
There is a basic rule to changing public behavior- make it easier for people to do what you want and more difficult to do what you don’t want. Why not make public charging stations required to be part of any new gas station? If someone wants a gas station (a pretty shaky idea at the moment anyway), use it to make it work for your goals. Not waste a temper tantrum on something that is totally ineffective and just gains more resistence? That is a vice of hormonal driven youth. Same was true in 1980 as now.
Great comment.
If you want to get realistic, humans making greenhouse gas isn’t going to slow down and mendo isn’t going to make a difference. Is climate change really a bad thing? You and nobody else can answer this question cause haven’t experienced this cycle yet. So you either just live life to the fullest or you panic and cause chaos about something you no nothing about its end result.
Your 72 years on this planet are a sliver in time compared to 10 billion years of climate. It changes, always has, always will.
Al gore said the polar ice would be gone by now. All their predictions have been wrong so far. It’s like the chicken little story or the guy with the sandwich board say the end is near.
Al Gore is a politician, not a scientist.
(And he never said that polar ice would be gone.)
Scientists also never said that polar ice would be gone.
They said it is shrinking, and they’re 100% right.
This guy claims to know everything al gore said
You made the claim and didn’t back it up.
What Gore actually did say wasn’t really all that hard to find though.
You asked a question (really more demanded butbwhatever…) and refused to listen to any answers. Face it honestly. You did not want any answers. Discussion was never the point. You want sycophantic ego plumping.
If someone answered and I missed it, I apologize.
However, I have looked back through the comments and still do not see an answer to my question.
So please, explain it to me like I’m a second grader.
What is harmful about this proposal?
Because it doesn’t help either. There, now stop please.
There, I do agree with you.
It does seem a somewhat hollow gesture.
That is, in large part, why I find it so surprising that so many of the commenters here seem to have gotten their panties in a bunch over a whole lot of nothing.
A comment from a person who has never had to use a chainsaw, run a generator or have medicine shipped to a rural route after all the rural post offices were shut down.
Non sequitur
This article kind of explains
Less gas station and fossil fuels is one of the reasons all prices are so high. Less gas stations will also cause the price of gas to go up which hurts the people most that they say they are helping.
https://kymkemp.com/2024/02/14/calmatters-its-the-only-store-for-dozens-of-miles-pges-latest-rate-hikes-could-put-it-out-of-business/
This article isn’t about fewer gas stations.
It shows what happens when pge rates go up. Imagine what the price of electricity will be without gas. They are also going to have to make up for the loss of the gas tax, where/how do you think they will make up for that lost revenue? Higher electricity prices.
We were also told that getting solar panels would cause electricity prices to go down, they have only gone up.
Again, none of that has anything to do with the proposal discussed in this article.
Oh yeah the climate crisis. Of course! Chainsaws, generators, gas stations….yet we still hear not a peep about indoor weed growing under lights which suck up massive amounts of energy- for a plant that can be grown in the sun!!! Their Governor Greasy Gavin allows permits to be issued for massive warehouse grows….disconnect much?
EV charger in Laytonville…never full. Chevron is packed many times..go figure.
Racial injustice? These morons need to look at the Congo’s cobalt mines where their EVs battery materials are shoveled out of the earth by 6 year olds
Yes. It is disgusting what the “people who care so much” decide to ignore. I’m not a climate denier or an EV-hater but I do get disgusted at the disconnects in the authoritarian preachers who tell us what we should do…it’s weird
And the mica mines of India. Mica is used for all kinds of things, like glitter and car paint (and elsewhere in cars, including gas guzzlers).
Well now- we NEED that glitter for Burning Man! So a few children die- it’s like totally worth it for those awesome costumes to prance about in…
How about a ban on new dispensaries. I think we’ve hit full saturation
Great idea ! But needs to be expanded further !
—
Anything produced on a dope farm, transport, dispensaries, refineries…
needs to be ZERO Carbon !
—
Think about it !
—
Instant demand for electric powered backhoes, tractors, and excavators.
No PG&E power deliveries, (they mostly deliver COAL generated electrons) !
Huge markup for SOLAR ! (Like who cares if it’s winter or cloudy.)
An instant market for HUGE batteries ! (Delivered by electric trucks.)
No diesel powered generators !
No fans, lights, de-humidifiers, and heaters !
All dope transport has to be electric powered vehicles ! (Make it easy for the cops.)
Ban car parking at dispensaries. Only bike parking !
—
I mean… think about it ! Call the Democratic party up ! Yee haw !
Yes
Clearly, if Comifornia based researchers were involved there is no real science. It’s also clear that if you claim racism as a reason to stop fossil fuels, then severe mental health issues of those doing the research and those supporting the cause are a guarantee. It’s all based on hype, never on reality.
I do not remember being contacted to see if I agree with this. Were any registared democrats contacted or was this a small group making a blanket decision?
The latter. My old DEM party has unfortunately been taken over by those who prefer to force the decisions down our throats…because they know better and they care so much LOL…
Using mining standards of today it will take 2000 years to mine enough lithium to replace fossil fules.
If it invokes anger, angst, and/ or anxiety (eg. the seas and skies are set to attack) it is a psy-op and someone’s fixing to increase their fortune offa your idiocracy.
Peak idiocracy here, an open market for dream weavers in Mendo.
Imagine getting stranded on that coast with no charge left in the EV’s battery, meanwhile you are preyed upon by some criminal.